Means for signaling



Nov. 28, 1933. w. A. LOTH MEANS FOR SIGNALING Original Filed Dec. 27, 1923 BY ATTORNEY- Patented Nov. 2 8, 1933 1 MEANS Eon SIGNALING William Arthur Loth, Paris, France Original application December 27 1923, Serial: 'No. 683,089; and in France January .4, 1923,

Divided and this Serial No. 600,512,

application ,March 22, 1932.

14'Claiins. (Cl. 116 -19) This invention pertains to means for signaling and pertains more particularly to means for determining the course 'of navigating craft such 'as vessels, air craft, etc.-

In my co-pending application Serial No. 683,- 089, filed December 27, 1923, for System of acoustic signaling, now Patent No. 1,898,091, issued February 21, 1933, of which this application is a division, I have described a system for signaling the course of a craft in which a predetermined radius on a dial is used as'a base line or starting point and a known time interval communicated by signals is employed to indicate 'each angular distance measuredfrom said base line in a prev determined direction. The radius chosen may be that which is north pointing at the time; or the dial maycorrespond to the ordinary navigating compass dial and the angular distance may be read directly on th'ecompass dial.

By' having a hand mount'ed' at the center of the dial and attached tomechanism adapted to revolve it at a speedso that it will cover angular distances corresponding to the timeintervals of the signals, the hand may be made to: show directly on the dial the course of, the signaling craftj Starting and stopping mechanism for the hand "is preferably provided; Such apparatus is also describediin my co-pending application.-

In said co-pendingapplication I have also ,described a system for signaling, in whichabeam of any character such as a sound beam, light beam, electromagnetic radiation beam, etc. is 1'0- tatedabout a vertical axis at a predetermined.

speed. When thebeam is at its starting point,

or in otherwords at zero angle, which formstance may be due north, or directly across the bow or front endof a navigating'craft a general signal, that is one of non-oriented character is sent out. At a certain predetermined instant oftime having a certain known relationship with respect, to the sending of such general signal, the beam begins to rotate in a predetermined direction. The beam may be pickedup at any point within the area swept by the beam and the time interval elapsed from the beginning of the rotation to the time of reception corresponds to the angle traversed by the beam up to the time it is received at such point. One side of this angle will be an imaginary line drawn between the sending andreceiving stations and the other side will be an imaginary line drawn in the direction of the beam at zero angle. p 1

The information thus imparted isof great value for many purposes. For instance let us 7 take the caseoftwo vessels navigating in genlikelihood. of co1lision3 with vessel .12.

eral proximity to each other,.when the visibility is poor. If the-sending vessel uses the direction of its course as zero angle,'a second vessel receiving the beam after an elapsed time interval may calculate the course of the first vessel. i This may be illustrated upon reference to. the drawinginwhich Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates two moving "vessels and the. angle between the course-line of the sending vessel and an imaginary line joining the two vessels! Figure 2 diagrammatically illustrates two moving vessels and the angles 'definedby the northsouth line, the course-line of the sending vessel 7 and the imaginary line joining the two vessels; Figure 3 diagrammatically illustrates a stationary sending station and the angles defined by the north-south line and irnaginary'lines joinin the sending station and moving vessels.

Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 butshows two sending stations.

Figure 5 is similar toFigure' l but shows "a larger number of sendingstations; In Figure 1 10 is a'vesselhaving a'course as indicated by arrow 11. 12 is a secon'd'vessel having a course as indicated by arrow 13.' i is an 9 imaginary line drawn between vessels 10 and 12.

Let us assume that a non-oriented signal having a" duration of four secondsis employed and that the beam starts rotating in a clockwise' dir'ection from a position corresponding to the arrow 5 11 at the end of the non-oriented signal The time elapsed between the end of the non-oriented signaland the receptionofthe beam at 12 will correspondto anangle equal to Because of the" constant known speed of rotation "of the beam, this angle may be calculated, from the time elapsed, or apparatus such as disclosed in mycopending application, which will show the angle directly, maybe employed. 7-, g The vessel 12 will thus be made aware of any likelihood of collisionbetweenitand vessel 10. If vessel 12 were then to send out a similar signal, vessel 10 also would be made aware'of any The vessels 10 and 12 might also be advised as tothe distance between each other by the means described in my co-pending application- "In. the

=use.of such means one vessel sends out a sound signal which is immediately, acknowledged when received by the second vessel. The time elapsed between the sending of the first signal and the returnof the acknowledging signal is equal-to twice the time required for sound to travelthe distance betweenthe two vessels. The speed-pf sound being known, the distance can be calculated.

This emission rotating about a vertical axis can obviously be completed by a second emission rotating about a horizontal axis, for approximately obtainingthe distancewhere-is located the emitting vessel by utilizing the same mechanism resulting in a further security.

The sending vessel may of course employ any other zero angle. For instance some other radius on the compass dial may be used to indi cate the zero angle. The radius directly-under the compass needle at the time of sending is very useful inasmuch as it is substantially north pointing. The course of thes'ending vesselwith respect to north may thus be given by sending out a non-oriented signal in the usual way, starting the rotation with north as the zero angle and then sending out a second non-oriented signal when the beam is directly over the bow of the .sending vessel.

' This :is illustrated in Figure 2 in which the dotted arrow shown :at 15 indicates the direction .of .-the compass needle, and the angle B measured clockwise from the arrow 15 shows the angle between the course. of vessel 10 and north. '.Inasmuch as a beam would generally be rotated through a'full 360 degrees'toibring it back to Tthe starting-point, it would be picked up after a further :time intervalby the vessel .12. Vessel -12 having received the 1 two spaced non-oriented signals and having noted the time :interval between-thesame would-be-informed, first as to -the angle'between the course of-vessel 10 and north -(angle B), and second as to the angle between the imaginary line L4 and the course of vessel 2 1-0 ,(angle C) and third-as to the angle between the imaginary line 14 and the arrow 1-5, or in other wordsnorth-(angle C plus' angle B). This information apprise-s vessel 12 9i {the relative ,direction .of vessel 10 'andif the signals for distance are exchanged the'exact positions of-the two vessels may be plotted.

The sending vessel may of course be either moving or. stationary. "lit" it is maintained anchored in a known position it will function as a beacon and for this purpose it might be substituted by a station on land. In'Figure 3, for instance;-is-shown a stationil-fi at a known location. Its beam could bepicked up by any num- 'ber of vessels within the area of its sweep such I as those illustrated at 17, 18 and 1-9. The vessel 17 would be advised as to the valu of angle A and knowing the location of the station 16 would be ableto draw the line 20, thatis, it wouldknow the direction of stationlfi.

The vessel 18 would be advised as to the value o f angle B and would beable to draw the line 21.

The vessel 19 would beadvised as to the value of angle (3 andwould be able to draw the line 22.

Distance signals might also be used in.this instance to obtain exact position. G H 7 By the use of two beaconsthef distance between a receiving vessel and each beacon might bedirectly calculated. This is illustrated inFigure 4 in which 23 represents one'beacon and 24 the other beacon. The length of the straight line 25 between beacons 23 and 24 and the angles C andD are unchangeable. Angles A and B may be calculated'from'the'elapsed time intervals as above described. A vessel 26 would receive abeam from beacon 23'along a line represented by 27 and would receive a beam frombea- ,con24 along a line represented by 28. Angle E of the triangle formed by the-1ines25, 27 and 28 is equal to angle A minus angle C Angle F is equal to 360 degrees-(angle B+angle D).

Angles Eand F and the length of line 25 being 'rality' of triangles might be formed and the :readingschecked. This is shown diagrammatically in Figure 5 in which beacons 23 and 24 are reproduced and beacons 29 and 30 are added. The number of beacons could of course be multiplied without limit.

The'vessel 26in the position shown in Figure .5 could make three independent calculations of its position as will be readily understood from the diagram. V

.-For:the purpose of illustration merely, I have desoribedthe invention inconnection with vessels at sea. However, it is to be-strictly understood that the invention is in no way limited thereto but is equally applicable to air craft or even-to -:craft moving on land. It is also obviously applicable to submarine and subterranean uses. I

Any other means may be employed to indicate when the beambegins to rotate. For instance the beam may be startedrotating at certain specified times, sayat 2 or 5 minute intervals. To use such a system all clocks should be preferably in synchronism.

It is obvious that the same principles forming the subject matter of the invention apply to liquid'wavesas well as to aerial waves whether these waves are sonorous or ultra-sonorous.

Means for producing beams by sound, by light and by -,electro-magnetic waves'are well known in the art. Radio beams are not only produced by short wave phenomena-but also by waves of longer length, for instance by apparatus used for radio beacon work.

Having described my invention it is obvious that fmany modifications may be 'made in the same within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

I claim: I r

1. A method of signaling comprising rotating a beam about an axis from a predetermined point inap're'determined direction and at a predetermined speed, providing means for knowing when the rotation begins, receiving said beam at a point within the sweep thereof, determining the angular distance traversed by the beam between said predetermined point and said point of reception from the time required for the beam to travel from said predetermined point to the point otf'reception, and determining the distance between the position of said axis of rotation and the position of said point of reception by sending a sound signal from one of said positions, acknowl- 140 edging the receipt of said sound signal at the other of said positions by immediately sending a second soundsignal at said other position, and calculating said distanceat the first sound signaling position from the time elapsed between the sending of said first sound signal'and the receipt of said second sound signal.

2. A method of signaling comprising rotating a beam about an axis from a predetermined point a predetermined direction and at a predetermined speed, sending a non-oriented signal to Tab , thereof,

indicate when said beam leaves said predetermined point, receiving said'beam at a point within the sweep thereof, determining the angular distance traversed'by the beam between said predetermined point and said point of reception from the time required forthe beamto-travel from said predetermined point to the point of reception, and determining the distance between the position of said-axis; of rotation and the position of said point of reception by sending a sound signal from one of said positions, acknowledging the receipt of said soundsignalat the other of said; positions by immediately. sending asecond sound signal at said other position, and calculating said distance at the first sound signaling position from the time elapsed between the sending of said first sound signal and the receipt of said second sound signal.

3. A method of signaling comprising rotating a beam about an axis from a predetermined point starting at a predetermined time,'said rotation being in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined speed, receiving said beam at a point within the sweep thereof, determining the angular distance traversed by the beam between said predetermined point and said point of reception from the time required for the beam to travel from said predetermined point to the point of reception, and determining the distance between theposition of said of rotation and the position of said point of reception by sending a sound signal from one of said positions, acknowledging the receipt of said sound signal at the other of said positions by immediately sending a second sound signal at said other position, and calculating said distance at the first sound signaling position from the time elapsed between the sending of said first sound signal and the receipt of said second sound signal; Y

4. A method of signaling comprising rotating a beam about an axisstarting from north, said rotationbeing in a predetermined direction and 'at' a predetermined'speed, providing means for knowing when the beam leaves thenorth position, receiving said beam at a point within the sweep determining the angular distance traversed by the beam between said north posit ion and'said point of reception from the time required for the beam to travel from the north position to the point of reception, and determining the distance between the position of said axis of rotation and the position of said point of recep jtion by sending a sound signal from one'of said positions, acknowledging the receipt of said sound signalatthe otherof said positions by' immediately sending a second sound signal at said other position, and calculating said distance at the first sound signaling'position' iromt-e time elapsed between the sending of said first sound signaland the receipt of said second sound signal.

5. A method of signaling comprising rotating a beam about an axis from a north pointing position, said rotation being clockwise and at a predetermined speed, providing means for knowing when the beam leaves said north pointing position, receiving said beam at a point within the sweep thereof, determining the angular distance traversed by the beam between said north pointing position and said point of reception from the time required for the beam to, travel from said north pointing position to the point of reception, and determining the distance between the position of said axis of rotation-and the positionof said point of reception by sending a sound signal from one of said positions, acknowledging the receipt of said 'soundsignal at the other of'said positions by immediately sending a second sound signal at said other position, andcalculating said an axis on said craft from apoint in which the beampoints in the direction in which the craft is moving, said rotation being in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined speed, providing means for knowing when said beam leaves said point, receiving said beam at apoint within the Y signal and the receipt of said second sound sweep thereof, determining the angular distance traversed by the beam between said'first and 9 second mentioned points from the time required for the beam to travel from said first to said second mentioned points, and finding the .dis-

tance between the position of said axis of rotation and the position of said point of reception by an interchange of signals between said two positions to determine thetime required for sound to travel between said two positions, and calculating said distance from said required time.

7. A method of signaling the course of a craft comprising rotating a beam about an axis on said craft starting from a position in which the beam points in the direction of the course of the craft, said rotation being clockwise and at a predetermined speed, providing means for knowing the time when the beam leaves'said first mentioned position, receiving said beam at a point within the sweep thereof, determining the angular distance traversed by'the beam between said first mentionedposition and'said point of reception from the time required for the beam to travel from'said first mentioned position to said point of reception, and finding thedistance between the position of said axis of rotation and the position of said point of reception by an interchange of signals between said twopositions to determine the time required for sound to travel between said two positions, and calculating said distance from said required time.

8. A method of signaling the course of a craft comprising rotating a beam about an axis on said craft from a'north pointing position in a predetermined direction and. at a predetermined speed, sending a non-oriented signal when the beam leaves the north pointing position, sending a non-oriented signal when said beam points in thedirection of the course of said craft, determining the angular distance traversed by said beam between said north pointing position and said course pointing position from the time. re-

quired for the beam totravel from saidginorth pointing position to said course pointing position, finding the distance between the position of said axis of rotation and a second position, at which said non-oriented signals are received, by an interchange of signals between said two positions to determine the time required forsound to travel between said two positions, and

calculating said distance from said required time. 9. A method of signaling the course of a craft comprising rotating a beam about an axis on said craft from a north pointing position in a clockwise direction and at a predetermined speed,

sending a non-oriented signal when the beam leaves said north pointing position, sending a non-oriented signal when said beam points in thedirection of the course of said craft, deteriii) mining the angular distance traversed by said 150 beam between said north pointing .position and said course pointing position from the time required for the beam to .travel from said north pointing'position to said course pointing ,position, finding the distance between the position of said axis of rotation and a second position,

at which said non-oriented signals are received, by an interchange of signals'between said two positions to determine the time required. for sound to travel between said two positions, and calculating said distance from said required time.

v1O. A method of signaling the course of a craft comprising rotating a beam about Ianv axis on said crait from a northpointing position in a predetermined direction-and'at a predetermined 7 speed, providing means for knowing when the beam leaves the north pointing position, sending a non-oriented signal when said beam points in the direction of the course of said craft, then receiving said beam at a point within the sweep thereof, determining the angular distances trav- 1 ersed by said beam when in course pointing position and when receiving from the time required for the beam to travel between north pointing, coursepointing and point of reception pointing positions, and finding the distance between the position of said axis of rotation and the position of said point of reception by an interchange oi signals between said two positions to determine the time required for sound to travel betweenv said two positions, and calculating said distance from said required time.

11. A method of signaling the course of a craft comprising rotating a beam about an axis on said craft from a north pointing position in a clockwise direction and at a predetermined speed,

providing means for knowing when the beam .leaves the north pointing position, sending a non-oriented signal when said beam points in the direction of the course of said craft, then receiving said beam at a point within the sweep thereof, determining the angular distances traversed by said beamwhen in course pointing position and when received from the time required for the beam to travel between north pointing, course pointing and point of reception pointing positions, and finding the distance between the position of said axis of rotation and the posipointing position, receiving said beam at a point within the sweep thereof, determining the angular distance traversed by the beam betweensaid north pointing position and said point of, reception from the time required for thebeam to travel from said north pointingpositiongto the point of reception, and determining the distance between the position of said axis of rotation and theposition of said point ofreception by sending a: soundsignal from'one of said positions, 9.0: knowledging the receipt of saidsound signal at the other of said positions by immediately sending a second sound signal at said other position, and calculating said distance at the first sound signaling position from the time elapsed between the sending of said first sound signal and the receipt ofsaid second sound signal.

13, A method of signaling comprising rotating a beam about a stationary axis from a north pointing position in aclockwise direction and at a predetermined speed, providing means for knowing when-the beam leaves the-north pointing position, receiving said beam at a pointwithin the sweep thereof, determining the angular distance traversed by. the beam between said north pointing position and said point of reception'irom'the time required for thebeamito travel from said north pointing position to the point of reception, and determining the distance between the position of said axis of rotation and the position of saidpoint of reception by sending a sound signal from one] ofsaid positions, ac knowledgingthe receipt of said sound signal at the other of said positions by immediately sendinga second sound signal at said other'position, and calculating said distance at the first sound signaling position from the time, elapsed between the sending of said firstsound signal and the receipt of said second sound signal. .7

l4. Amethod of signaling comprising rotating a beam about a stationary axis from a predetermined point in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined speed, providing means for knowing when the beam leaves the initial pointing position, receiving said beam at a point within the sweep thereof, determining the angular distance traversed by the beam between said initial pointing position and said point of reception from the time required for the beam to travel from said initial pointing position to the I point of reception, and determining the distance between the position of said axis of rotation and the position of said point of reception by sending a sound signal fromone of said positions, acknowledging the receipt of said sound signal ,at the other of said positions by immediately sending a second sound signal at said other position, and calculating saiddistance at the first sound signaling position from the time elapsed between the sending of said first sound signal and the receipt of said second sound signal,

WILLIAM ARTHUR LOTH. 

